Dingess

Congratulations!!  Your children have made it to the 100th day of First grade in school!!  We had a very exciting day today.  The kids rotated to different first grade classroom to do various 100 Day activities. I sure enjoyed hearing what they think $100 can buy!  Thank you for helping with the 100 day snack... they LOVED it!

EXCITING NEWS:  First Grade will perform for the next PTA meeting on February 2nd @ 7 pm.  They will be singing songs to celebrate Black History Month.  Please make sure you child is on stage in the cafe ready @ 6:55 pm. next Thursday night.  Please have your child wear jeans and a solid colored shirt.  Be here EARLY to get a seat and parking spot!!

We will begin learning about Theodore Roosevelt, who loved nature and was instrumental in starting National Parks.  Be looking for Flat Teddy to send to an out of state friend or relative so that we can learn about National Parks all around the United States!

The students have starting "scrolling"... this is writing their numbers 100 at a time and adding it to their scrolls!  They LOVE it!  Ask your child where they are. 

Thanks goes out to Nathan's mom for being the helper parent and story parent this week!  The kids Loved your stories!  Next week, I have Leila's dad as our helper parent and Abby's mom as the story parent.  Remember, next Friday is Spirit Day.  Be sure to wear your Dalmatian shirt on that day!  Also, start to save a good shoebox to ready for our valentine card exchange.  A letter will go home soon about that. Also, I sure everyone is READING and recording it on the HW sheet and the Six Flag form so you can get credit and a free ticket to Six Flags.

Have a Wonderful Weekend!! 

We have our BIG 100the Day of School on Friday, Jan. 27th!  We are planning some FUN "100" math activities for that day.  Please read the note in your child's binder today to see what your child was assigned to bring in for our 100th day trail mix snack for all!  It would be great if you could send in the snack by Wed. or Thurs. of next week so I know what might be missing.  Also, if you were assigned something "strange" please let me know and you can bring in something different.

We had an exciting week at the Creek!  We began to learn all about Harriett Tubman and her courage.  Also, we had to review the 2 and 3-D shapes some more before we began our chapter on place value.  In reading, we are working on comprehension skills and tapping out words with blends and digraphs.  In writing, the children are continuing to learn how to edit their own paper and peer edit papers.  I thought we mastered the capitalization and punctuation, but we still need some work with it.  Also, as we move closer to 2nd grade, all the students need to continue to add more details to their stories! :)

Did you notice that some of the reading comprehension paragraphs are coming home.  Well, we really want to make sure your child is ready for 2nd grade.  I am teaching them how to go back in the paragraph to look for the answers.  It takes a lot of focus and listening/follow direction skills, so please make sure your child has had a healthy (protein) breakfast and lots of fluid Before they get to school so they can stay on task.

A BIG Thank you goes out to all the moms and dads that volunteered to read or be my helper parent!!  This week, Nathan's mom was our story parent and Rylan's mom did A LOT as my helper parent!! Thanks so much!!  Next week, I have Helper parent meeting on Monday @ 10:40am with Nathan's mom as helper on Tues. and story parent on Thurs. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. Don't forget to send in your empty Paper towel holder by Monday so we can start our scrolling!!!     

Spirit Day is Tomorrow, Friday, Jan. 13th!!

  I decided to BLOG on Thurs. this week because we have some VERY exciting News!!! We have a new student in our class!! YEA!!!  We are all so excited to welcome Kai Zhouto the Dingess Dalmatian class today!! He just moved here from New York City!  Welcome Kai (pronounced Ki - long i sound)!  The kids a GREAT job today making him feel welcome and introducing themselves to him.  He Loves art and even brought in a couple of pictures to share...guess what, it was a picture of the "angry bird" game...so many of our Dalmatian friends could relate to that game with him and made the connection immediately!   Thank you all for welcoming him!

I hope you all had a very Nice Break!!  Be sure to READ the BLOG every Friday to stay up to date on what is happening in the Dalmatian class! 

In math, we are finishing up our 2 and 3D shapes and will be reviewing and practicing comparing numbers (greater than, less than, equal). We are also going to be starting Minute Math...which are timed tests to see if you know your math facts.   In writing, we are writing our New Year's goals.  In social studies we are learning about MLK and reviewing the heroes that we have studied so far.  Next week, we will begin to study Harriett Tubman.  In reading, we are continuing our focus on main idea, details, and summarizing the books we read. 

**  Please send in any empty paper towel rolls you have.  We need those to help us with number sense when we start scrolling! 

I still need some Helper parents and story parents!  Let me know if you are available!  :)

Tomorrow, your child will have their report cards!  Be sure to look over them, keep it, sign and return the signature card in the given envelope!  Let me know if you have any questions.  No School next Monday for Martin Luther King Day!  I'll see the kids on Tues. the 17th!  Be sure to wear your Dalmatian shirt OR a Sope Creek shirt tomorrow for spirit day!  Also, We have LIBRARY day on Wed. and over 1/2 the class forgot!  The kids need to be reading books on his/her level every night! If your child does Not ride the bus to school, please try to get them here well before 7:45 so they can have time to unpack and get notes approved Before the tardy bell rings at 7:50! :)   Thanks again for all the sweet notes, gifts and cards before the break!!  I have the BEST class ever!! Have a wonderful LONG weekend!!

 

A note from the counselors!

Dear Students and Parents,

The first ever Sope Creek Family Movie Night is coming on January 20, 2012.  It is being sponsored by the Student Council.  We will be showing The Smurfs and National Treasure 2.  Popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase, but you can BYOC (Bring Your Own Candy).  We will be expecting that you bring your parents because this is a family event – no drop offs, please.  So mark your calendar – January 20 7:00-9:00 in the cafeteria and the media center.  Optional donation for Must Ministries gladly accepted.

Thank you

The Movie Night Committee

 

Can you believe it!!  It is almost the New Year!!!  We had sooo much FUN today and the kids really enjoyed themselves!!  THANK YOU SOOO Much for all the lovely gifts!! You are spoiling me!! I really appreciate all that you do for me.  It makes coming to work a Joy!!  Be sure to look in and around your child's backpack for a THANK YOU note from me!!  If it accidently was misplaced in all the stuff, please know that I am truly thankful for all your wonderful gifts!  I have a wonderful group of parents! 

Also, a thank you for Maggie and Nate's mom for organizing and working at the wonderful winter party!  Also thanks goes to all the parents that came out to help!  Rylan, Abby, Dominic, Sofia and Nate's dad came out to help!!! Thank you! 

Just a reminder that school is out from Friday, December 23rd through Monday, January 9th. I hope all of you have a wonderful and relaxing vacation! Happy Holiday to everyone and I will see the Dalmatian's shining faces on Jan. 10th in 2012!

  We had another exciting week at the Creek! We had a wonderful time on Tuesday hearing all about Sacagawea. Thank you to our wonderful PTA for sponsoring this "Being There" experience. Our actress was perfect and kept us enchanted for over 45 minutes with her tales of the Shoshone  woman who braved the west to guide Lewis and Clark to the Pacific Ocean. The children were her Little Pomps and she taught them folklore and fact, all with the underlying message of respect. Please ask your children what they learned about her.

In math we're working on 3d shapes and will continue that next week. We will be making 3d shapes out of toothpicks and gum drops. We'll send them home next week after we finish them.

We're looking forward to a great holiday party next Thursday the 22nd. We have some great centers planned for the children.  Thank you sooo much to Maggies's mom for being our Helper parent And Story parent this week.  The kids loved the stories and the candy canes!!!  Also, thanks goes to Liam and Jacob's parents for providing Clorox wipes for the class.  We still have kids with coughs, fevers and yucky running noses, so be sure to remind your kids about proper hygiene to stay well! Now we need some more antibacterial hand sanitizer, if you could send that in, that would be Great!! Next week, Rylan's mom as my helper parent on Tues. and no story parent due to our Party.

There will be NO homework next week. Just go on RAZ and IXL for extra practice and have your child READ a story out loud to you several times during the week!  

Have an Awesome Weekend!! I can't wait to see my Shining Dalmatian faces on Monday morning!! 

Happy Polar Express Day!!!  We all had so much FUN today riding on the Polar Express!! The students had to get their Polar Express tickets punched before they could enter the "train". Then we all had some delicious hot chocolate and cookies provided by Abby's mom...Thank You!!! They were Yummy!! Also, Mrs. Grindstaff was our special speaker to come and read the wonderful Polar Express book to us.  We discussed the main idea, characters and sequenced the story.  Also, we wore our bell necklaces and did some Polar Math too! We even had some time to watch a little of the movie provided by Maggie's mom...Thank you so much!!  

Next week, we will finish up our money chapter and begin shapes.  Be sure to practice counting the change by starting with the highest value amount first.  Also, we finish our study of our 3rd President, Thomas Jefferson, and will begin learning about Lewis and Clark and Sacagwea expeditions.  We will continue to write about our family traditions for this time of year and REad, REad , Read!  

Library day is on Wed.  Send those books back. I've told the kids that if they have finished a book at home with you, they can bring it right back to school and get a new one at 7:30am or after lunch if there is time.  Also, the media specialist put a new item on the Media BLOG off the Sope Creek website.  She taught the kids how to use it and print at home, or write it on a sheet of paper...so when your child goes to the library, they can find a book on his/her level.  Check it out!

A big thank you goes to Liam's mom for being my helper parent this week and to Sofia's mom for being the Storty parent.  Also a big Thank you goes to Alex and Rylan's mom for being the substitute while I went to my monthly teacher training!  Be sure to thank Maggie's mom and Nate's mom for planning your child's Winter Party that is coming up in 2 weeks.  If you signed up to help, we could use you!  Please let them know.  It will be a lot of FUN!! 

Next week, we have our checkpoint testing on Monday and Wednesday morning!  So be sure to get plenty of rest (10 hours is what the doctor says!), eat a healthy breakfast and drink Water!!! Also, Please have your child here On Time!  This test will tell us how much your child has learned so far and what I need to work on from now until May 24th.  It is not a long test at all, so it should not take up too much of the day.  Have a Great Weekend and GO RAIDERS!!!...maybe I'll see you at the Dome!

CogAT Scores are In

We have received first grade CogAT scores.  The vendor does not distribute individual score reports for students/parents.  If you would like a copy of your child's scores, please contact the teacher.

The CogAT measures reasoning and problem-solving skills in three different areas: verbal, quantitative, and nonverbal. Reasoning skills develop gradually throughout a person’s lifetime and at different rates for different individuals. Reasoning abilities are good predictors of success in school and are important outcomes of good schooling.   More questions?  Please download the following reference form with Frequently Asked Questions.  Download FAQ CogAT

Happy December!!!  I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving break!  We now have 3 very important learning weeks for your first graders!  And if you saw your child's December calendar in their binder today, you would notice some special things that will be happening this month too!  Next Friday, we will be having a Pajama/Polar Express Day!!!  So many of the kids have wanted to bring in an item to share (ie..stuffed animals, etc.), so I thought next Friday, Dec. 9th, would be our "Bring your Favorite Item to share Day"...nothing big, or out of control.  I thought we could share the item and then during DEAR time, they could read to it or with it.  so have the kids dress in warm PJ's and be sure to have tennis shoes/jackets for recess.  We will have a Special Speaker read the Polar Express to us and I'd love to drink hot chocolate and eat a cookie or a donut hole. Please email me if you can volunteer to send one of those items in on Friday morning!

Sadly, we had to say Good-bye to Mrs. Keller today!  She LOVED the home-made cards you gave her and the signed and framed picture of the Dalmatian class with Mrs. Keller!! Thanks goes to Maggie's mom for coming in during lunch and having us all sign the frame and giving it to Mrs. Keller.  She Loved it!   Also, the kids Loved the Goodie bags she gave all to them.  Enjoy!   We will surely miss her and wish her well with her new class!! 

We loved making our Landform cookies today!  Thanks goes to Maggie's mom and Sofia's mom for sending in the goodies to do so.  Be sure to ask your child about the different landforms and the body motions/song for each!  Next week, we will finish that up and begin our next American hero, Thomas Jefferson.  Also, we will continue with our money chapter.  Be sure to count coins at home!  Some of the kids are struggling with counting by 1's, 5's, and 10's with the coins...Practice!!!  We will continue to read, read, read!!! :0) I love Reading!  Help your child find the main idea, and details of the beginning, middle and end of the story! Thanks goes to Nate's mom for being our helper parent And story parent this week! Next week, Liam's mom will be the helper on Tues. and Sofia's mom the story parent on Thurs.  Also, Alex and Rylan's mom will be our PVS subs for Thurs. from 11:25-1:30 for the teacher training on that day!  Thanks to all the parents for everything you do!!!

Reminder:

1.  Library day is Every Wed.

2.  Send in a healthy snack and water bottle every day!

3.  Label and wear jackets when it is cold out, so nothing gets misplaced.

4.  Try to have your child inside the classroom by 7:45 if he/she is not riding a morning bus.

5.  Read every day!!!

 

 

Dear Sope Creek Family,

We are holding our annual Holiday Bear gift card program and would like you to consider making a gift card donation to help our Sope Creek families during this holiday season. Bears with store and amount designations are posted on the main bulletin board in the school lobby.  Please consider helping by taking a bear and obtaining a gift card.  Gift cards can be returned to your child’s grade level counselor by December 15.  Your generosity will help to make this a brighter holiday for many of our children and their families.  Thank you in advance, and may each of you have a wonderful holiday.

Your Counselors

Also...WE WON The Chick-Fil-A Night Contest!!! Way to go Dalmatian friends and parents!! I did not get to see you all there, but I am Sooo Happy that you were able to make it!! We get to eat on the stage with Mrs. Whalen and the fun Music for lunch one day soon.  She will let us know when it works into her schedule!! THANKS Again for supporting Sope Creek!!!

Here's a picture we took with Mrs. Keller I thought you might enjoy! Have a great rest of the week!!